Prayer vigil held for ailing Aretha Franklin

DETROIT | A community prayer vigil has been held in Detroit for Aretha Franklin, a day before organizers say the singing legend is to undergo a medical procedure.

City Councilwoman JoAnn Watson and others gathered downtown Wednesday to pray for Franklin. Last month, she announced she was canceling all concert dates and personal appearances through May on the orders of her doctors.

In September, Franklin canceled her appearance at the Power & Light District, part of the 1Year2Go Countdown Celebration for the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

Franklin’s son, 52-year-old Eddie Franklin, had been attacked and beaten and the singer said she was devoting herself to his care.